"I don't know"

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nope, I only say that when I really don't know a fact or what is going on

if people ask other questions I will just either totally ponder it and stare or give an answer

I say this quite often when I have no opinion on something or when I don't want to think. I use to say "because" when I was a kid and not give out a real answer and my little brother told me it got on his friend's sister's nerves so that's probably why she didn't like me. I also did it in my shrink's office when he would ask me why I did something and saying "I don't know" or "just felt like it" wasn't an answer for him so he would try and push for a "real" answer.

When I say I don't know to preferences or feelings, which is quite often, it's because I'm unsure of what I want or what I'm feeling. It's not that I have no conception of what I'm feeling or what I like etc, but rather that at that moment in time, I simply don't have a decision. Like, if I have to choose between 2 foods or something, I need to spend time thinking about each food in particular, try to gauge the pleasure I will get from eating either food and then make a decision. Sometimes I will not be able to make a decision because either seem equally appealing or unappealing. Sometimes I will not be able to deduce what I would actually like. The same can be said of my emotions. I will know if it's something that's enjoyable or negative, but I will not necessarily know what specifically it is.

This is my standard reply when asked a silly question, for some reason I'm expected to be the source of all knowledge. Some examples from the last few days:

How big is the bed (asked whilst travelling at speed on the freeway)

How long was the Ukrainian President in office (asked whilst I was bending down to tie my shoes)

Which hair shampoo should I buy (for herself), this one or this one? I was tempted to do a cost/benefit analysis of the two alternatives right there on the spot but decided not to.

What's the name of those curtains I don't like, I don't remember?

Will this lamb joint feed all four of us?

I DON'T KNOW!! !!

I'm beginning to appreciate why smartphones with Internet access are so popular, the owners must have girlfriends like mine.

I'll use "no idea", or "I don't have a clue", or sometimes simply "don't know".

If they ask a stupid question off the cuff, and I think to myself that they are just breathing out loud and don't realy want an answer, they'll get a pointless random answer in responce.

GregCav is shaped like a triangle and only has one eye. I sternly advise all in attendance not to take a word he says seriously, that is, unless you read what he has to say only to take the opposite view, which is a satisfactory approach.

Moreover, he lives Down Under, so he's not really a triangle. He's more of a wedge.

I personally hate (yes, hate) using the phrase 'I don't know'. I think it may be a confidence related thing, as mine is quite fragile, but I'm more inclined to respond with 'I'm not sure, but possibly/maybe....'